CHARLOTTE, NC (January 21, 2004) -- Only 14 seats are left for the hands-on variable data printing workshop on March 3, The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. has announced. "Getting Past the Hype of Variable Data Printing: Practical Hands-on Training for Producing VDP," is not designed for the veterans of VDP -- operators from printing and design companies already deep into working with VDP. It is designed for the print owners and/or operators just entering the VDP market or considering adding VDP to the company portfolio. It is also ideal for designers, printbuyers, salespeople, for printers or suppliers, and actual print customers who will be working with the printer. Presented by Dr. John Leininger, Professor of Graphic Communications at Clemson University, the program will give attendees a foundation for applying variable data in print production. They will see how the tools work together for organizing and retrieving the variable information to optimize the effectiveness of the process and the final product. The event will be held at The PICA Education Center, 3601 Rose Lake Drive, in Charlotte. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and adjourns at 4:30 p.m. Due to the hands-on aspect of this program, the number of participants are limited for the March 3rd date. The cost is $175 per person for PICA members and $200 per person for non-members. For more information, or to register, contact PICA at (704) 357-1150. The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA) is a trade association representing the graphic communications industry in North and South Carolina. North Carolina ranks as the 14th largest state print market in the United States with 1,047 total printing establishments and 27,342 employees. South Carolina ranks 30th in the nation with 392 establishments and 9,742 employees. PICA is headquartered in Charlotte, NC.